Predict and be Prepared.

The most devastating career risk we face is getting stuck doing one thing for too long without branching out. As a result increasing the chances of unemployed or underemployed or doing work that is not challenging, being poorly paid, or nearing obsolescence.

To end this we can have a framework – Career development and being proactive about learning. The big difference is how quickly the field changes and how much one feels a need to edge their career options.

It’s useful to note that all of the following stages are generally in play at any given time. If you focus only on the future, you might starve. If you focus only on the present, you might become short-sighted and hurt long term results.
The idea is that one should have:

a list of skills that have general value today,
a list of skills that are becoming obsolete, and
a list of skills that just might become very useful in the near future.

Essentially, it’s skill diversification, much like people diversify stock.

The Cash Cow
This is something that one is very good at and is currently in hot demand. It differs from a core competency because this is something that can make money doing for the near foreseeable future. This could be web programming (and others) in the late 1990s. This is probably Sharepoint (and others) today. It might be something else tomorrow.
There are different kinds of cows. It could be that Java programming is the thing you are best at and can easily find a variety of work for. This would fit the criterion that is laid out. You might have some that are solid, and some that are getting to be less profitable.
If you follow this general process, you will eventually have multiple focused competencies that can be used in the future. This helps ensure losses in one area can be absorbed in another. For example, if for some reason the technology that you are working in suddenly comes into huge legal problems, you are alright because you have other skills that are useful.
It helps to have some competencies be similar so that can leverage what is known, but it also helps to diversify. In either case, being able to quickly shift what is known and learnt something new is going to be a benefit. If dinosaurs could adapt to changing climates, they would have been in much better shape.

Some of the time things don’t pan out, but the rest of the time it looks like we can predict the future.

Branching out
At the same time, it is possible to learn more about surrounding fields and seemingly completely tangential ones. This is the longest view possible and also has larger potential gains. It takes a long time to become an expert in one field, and it’s helpful to understand other fields to try to be at least oriented in a certain field. Again, this branching out takes into consideration that short term and medium term needs also need to be fulfilled for success.
The overall goal is to maximize long-term value creation and ensure cash flow stays at an adequate level. The opportunities should be evaluated for their lifetime value and short term impact. Value could come in terms of financial compensation, contacts, experience, work environment, and more.

Why Visit Temples? (Scientific Reason)

I recently came across this in FB of a old college Ms. Sumi. Here it goes..

Photo by : da_pierino

There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not

plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

Source: Link; Collection By Aji Prasad B Dubai

I day 1947

Ever wondered how the news paper headline would have looked like when India got Independence. Well it never struck me till recently I saw the printout of the Headline, Times of India - 15 August Edition 1947 on the desk of my college Sumit. Somehow it just sent chills down my spine just to see it and wondered how would the readers felt on the day. Thanks to Google it seems much effortless to find the information.
In addition I also got few more newspaper editions :) Indian Independence Day

The Times of India - 15 August 1947

Morning News - 15 August 1947

The New York Times - 15 August 1947

The Statesman - 15 August 1947

The Hindustan Times - 15th August 1947

Source : Link

Buy ipod.. Upgrade OS..

I recently purchased an Apple iPod Nano 8 GB 6th Generation . As most of them I was searching what all can be done with it apart from listening to music.

I came across one question that caught my attention so I took a screen shot to share it.

Yahoo Answers for iPod Sync

Few Plus points:
Multi -Touch Screen, which is kind of cute.
FM Radio- The best part as other iPod does not have it.
Clock- Just saw it can be used as a wrist watch as well by purchasing a additional bracelet.
Sensor - For Sports tracking ( Walking or Running)

The only problem I feel is syncing it with itune may be i just prefer the good old way of drag and drop :)

 

Singapore Cost of living 2012

Being in Singapore for sometime now I always get the questions "what's the best salary in Singapore" or "what's the salary I need to survive in Singapore".

To be honest the cost is dependent on each individual and their life style.
There are a lot of site but I am going to present a simple Excel calculation on roughly how much is enough to live in Singapore if you are single.

Download the above image